When news had been received that the timber was ready in the woods, orders were given to have it brought together. Seldom had we witnessed a more novel scene than that presented by the natives when they brought from the forests the rudely prepared materials for the boat. They were seen coming in from all quarters with loads of timber on their shoulders, of every size and shape that could be conceived of, and causing the hills and vales to resound with their shouts.
In due time the work of putting together the materials commenced. We succeeded in laying a sort of keel, and at length contrived to erect a kind of frame, which, though it might not be regarded as a first-rate specimen of naval architecture, nevertheless looked somewhat like the beginning of a water-craft. But when we came to the more difficult part of the business, that of putting on the planks, we found that not only our skill, but that of the whole nation, was completely baffled. We were compelled to abandon the undertaking; and despaired of ever being able to succeed in building any thing of the kind.
During all this time the natives were sanguine in the belief that they should succeed, and repeatedly assured us that they could accomplish the work. Their sorrow and mortification, on being obliged to give it up, were great; for they seemed to realize, that now they must have fallen in our estimation, and thought that we should be anxious to avail ourselves of the assistance of their enemies, who, as they well knew, were extremely anxious to get us into their hands. The captain did not attempt to conceal his wish to go to the other part of the island. This greatly increased their dissatisfaction; and their murmurs became frequent and loud. After considerable expostulation, they proposed to make a canoe sufficiently large to convey us away; and, having some confidence in the practicability of the plan, we consented to wait and assist them in their endeavors to supply us with this substitute for the more respectable craft we had contemplated building. After duly consulting the old prophetess, the principal chiefs were assembled, and having agreed to take for the purpose the largest bread-fruit tree on the island, the people were called upon to meet at the spot where it stood, and assist in cutting it down.
Matters of so great importance required deliberation in the operation of planning out the work,—but the accomplishment of an undertaking like that of felling so large a tree, with tools even less adapted to the business than the teeth of a beaver, was one that took several days. At length the herculean task was performed, and the tree fell! But judge of our feelings on finding that the trunk, which we had hoped to render so useful in conveying us to some place from which we could obtain a passage to our native land, had, in falling, become so split as to be good for nothing! It seemed to us that a cruel fate had ordained, that no labor of our hands should prosper. Another tree was selected, and with that we were more successful. We then commenced digging it out, and bringing it to a proper shape. The old chisels were now put in requisition; and, in twenty-eight days from the time we began, we had succeeded in bringing that part of our labor to a close. Of the other tree we made two wide planks, which we fastened to the upper edges of the canoe, thereby adding very considerably to its capacity. Two months more were consumed in fitting up our canoe with sails, and getting it ready for sea.
Having proceeded thus far, it was deemed proper by the natives to have another festival; and, as our labors, in this instance, had been attended with better success, extraordinary preparations were made for a feast that should do honor to the occasion. An immense quantity of fish had been obtained; the females brought large quantities of bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, and yams; and the toil of months was forgotten in the universal joy which then prevailed.
CHAPTER V.
The natives become anxious to aid the ship's company in leaving the island.—Terms on which they agreed to release them.—Departure from the Pelew islands.—Necessity of returning the same night.—Detention a month longer; and final departure.
By this time the natives had become nearly as anxious to part with us as we had ever been to leave them; and being mutually desirous to be rid of each other's company, we lost no time in preparing for our departure. Our object now was to get into the open sea, with the hope of falling in with some vessel on its passage to China or elsewhere, and thus be able, after a while, to find a conveyance to America. Provisions were furnished us by the natives; but we greatly needed a compass, and with much difficulty obtained one. Captain Wilson, who had been shipwrecked there many years before, left his compass with one of the chiefs, whom we finally succeeded in inducing to part with it. It had become much impaired by time and improper usage, but served as a tolerable guide.[3]
It is proper here to state the particulars of our agreement with the natives of this island. They had, as before related, furnished us with the means of subsistence, and with comfortable lodgings; and, for the purpose of enabling us to return home, had been at great expense in fitting up a craft, such as they thought would answer to convey us wherever we pleased to go. According to their notions, we were persons of sufficient consequence in the estimation of our countrymen, to fulfil any engagement we might make with them, and to the extent to which, in our necessity, we were compelled to go, in order to obtain the object which we had in view, should the government consider itself bound; and it would be no less an act of justice than of humanity, to secure the friendship and confidence of these islanders; so that, should others unfortunately fall into their hands, their lives and property might be respected. It is also important, that those who engage in commercial pursuits should have every protection extended to them. It would cost the government but a mere trifle to secure an amicable understanding with these islanders; and it is but reasonable to hope that no time will be lost in making the attempt.